JIM Magilton has backed rival championship boss Dennis Wise to revitalise a flagging Leeds United. The Blues entertain third from bottom Leeds at Portman Road tomorrow.

By Derek Davis

JIM Magilton has backed rival championship boss Dennis Wise to revitalise a flagging Leeds United. The Blues entertain third from bottom Leeds at Portman Road tomorrow.

“Leeds are a big club and it is a big job there. Clearly Ken Bates knows Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet very well and I wish them every success in turning their fortunes around, starting after Saturday.

“They have been going through a difficult time, but they have the players and the squad to turn it around.” The game will be played on a snaking new pitch that was laid last weekend and has bedded in nicely.

Town players yesterday got a feel for the new turf, imported from Holland, and Magilton is confident they will benefit psychologically from the new surface. He said: “We trained a little on pitch on Thursday and I'm delighted we were able to do that. It eliminates another excuse, although in fairness to the players no-one here has used that as an excuse at all.

“The pitch is usually pristine so it was a bit of a problem this season and it has been acted upon. As much as we have not made excuses, a new pitch is always exciting. It is like starting the season. They will go on to it with no fear of any bobbles or anything like that again.”

Ipswich will be keeping an eye on the 16-man squad named by Leeds tomorrow after the selected six on loan players for their game against Derby last weekend, the limit is five.

n Martin Brittain's good form at Yeovil has been noticed by Ipswich Town, with Blues boss Jim Magilton hinting he could be in line to challenge for a first team spot when he returns from his loan spell in January.